Patient Self-Reported Allergies and Their Correlation with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon neurovascular disorder that presents as neck and upper extremity pain secondary to brachial plexus trunk or subclavian vasculature compression. The orthopedic literature has correlated patient-reported allergies to postoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores for a variety of surgical procedures. We sought to evaluate patient-reported allergies and PROs following surgical decompression for TOS. METHODS: A chart review was conducted after identifying patients who underwent surgical thoracic outlet decompression by a single surgeon. Patients were contacted and administered five PRO questionnaires via telephone: the QuickDASH Outcome Measure questionnaire (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand [DASH]), the Cervical Brachial Symptom Questionnaire, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, the 12-Item Short Form Survey, and the Numeric Rating Scale (a visual analogue scale). A bivariate analysis of Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the associations of allergies with questionnaires and demographic variables. RESULTS: Of the 393 patients (128 males and 265 females) identified in the study, 75 (24%) responded and completed all of the questionnaires, 18 (24%) males and 57 (76%) females. A significant correlation was found between the number of allergies reported and the QuickDASH Outcome Measure questionnaire (r = 0.375, P < 0.001), the Cervical Brachial Symptom Questionnaire (r = 0.295, P = 0.01), change in the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (r = -0.310, P < 0.01), change in the visual analogue scale (r = 0.244, P = 0.035), sex (r = 0.245, P = 0.034), and the number of medications (r = 0.642, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The increased frequency of patient-reported allergies is significantly associated with worse PRO scores for women undergoing TOS surgical decompression. Better understanding this association can help physicians counsel patients on expected outcomes.

Eccentric Hamstring Strength Imbalance among Football and Soccer Athletes.

OBJECTIVES: Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are common among football and soccer athletes. Eccentric strength imbalance is considered a contributing factor for HSI. There is, however, a paucity of data on hamstring imbalances of soccer and American football athletes as they age and advance in skill level. High school athletes will display greater interlimb discrepancies compared with collegiate and professional athletes. In addition, soccer athletes will exhibit greater hamstring asymmetry than American football athletes. METHODS: Hamstring testing was performed on soccer and American football athletes using the NordBord Hamstring Testing System (Vald Performance, Albion, Australia). Age, sex, weight, sport specialization, and sport level were recorded. Maximum hamstring forces (N), torque (N · m), and work (N · s) were measured. Hamstring imbalance (%) was calculated by dividing the absolute value of the difference in leg forces divided by their sum. One-way analysis of variance and independent sample t tests compared measurements between athlete groups. RESULTS: A total of 631 athletes completed measurements, including 88 high school male soccer, 25 college male soccer, 23 professional male soccer, 83 high school female soccer, 28 college female soccer, 288 high school football, and 96 college football athletes. High school soccer players displayed significantly greater imbalances for torque (P = 0.03) and work (P < 0.01) than football athletes. Imbalances for maximum force (P = 0.035), torque (P = 0.018), and work (P = 0.033) were significantly higher for male soccer athletes in high school compared with college- and professional-level athletes. Female high school soccer players had significantly higher imbalance in torque (P = 0.045) and work (P = 0.001) compared with female collegiate soccer players. Football athletes did not experience significant changes in force imbalances between skill levels. CONCLUSIONS: High school soccer athletes exhibit greater hamstring imbalances than football athletes. Higher levels of play in soccer, for both male and female athletes, correlate with less hamstring asymmetry.

Impact of Sling Use on Functional Mobility in a Geriatric Population.

OBJECTIVES: Sling immobilization is commonly used following rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to determine the detrimental impact of sling usage on mobility and balance in an older adult population through validated gait and balance testing. The authors hypothesize that sling use will negatively affect balance and stability. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved and registered randomized prospective clinical trial enrolled patients from 2019 to 2021. Following informed consent, patients were randomized into two groups: a sling worn (group 1) and no sling worn (group 2). Participants were assessed via the Edmonton Frail Scale as well as Tinetti gait and balance scoring. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included in the study, 23 (46%) men and 27 (54%) women, with a mean age of 72.2 years. The balance score median was 16.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 15.00 for participants wearing a sling. The gait score median was 12.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 11.50 for participants wearing a sling. The balance and gait scores were significantly greater when patients were not wearing a shoulder sling with P values of 0.006 and 0.011, respectively. The overall combined gait and balance score was significantly greater, with median values of 27.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 26.00 for participants wearing a sling (P = 0.001). Patients reported little to no anxiety about falling while wearing the sling, with a score of 0.16. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative sling immobilization negatively affects balance and gait in the geriatric population, potentially increasing the risk of postoperative falls in an already at-risk population.

Gender Disparities Among Professional Team Sports Medicine Physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Although recent trends from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) present encouraging growth of female representation in sports medicine, the field is still lagging behind other specialties. This study investigates gender disparities among physicians providing care for professional sports teams in male and female sports leagues. DESIGN: Information regarding physicians providing sports medicine care to professional teams obtained by database queries (May 2021). Chi-square analysis compared gender data of orthopaedic team physicians with American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) membership, residency, and fellowship census data. Primary care sports medicine physicians were compared with American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) and primary-care sports medicine fellowship census data. SETTING: Professional sports health care. STUDY POPULATION: Professional league physicians. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gender, residency, and fellowship training of professional league physicians. RESULTS: Among a total of 608 team physicians, 572 (93.5%) were male and 40 (6.5%) were female. Orthopedic surgeons comprised 64.7% of the physicians. Fourteen (3.6%) team orthopedic surgeons were female. Thirty-five percent of team physicians were primary care sports medicine physicians. Twenty-six primary care sports medicine physicians (11.6%) were female. Orthopaedic female team physician representation overall was comparable with AOSSM and AAOS membership but significantly less than orthopaedic surgery residents and sports medicine fellows ( P < 0.01). Women's National Basketball Association orthopaedic team physicians were more represented than female membership among AOSSM, AAOS, and orthopaedic sports medicine fellows ( P < 0.01). Except for the WNBA, Premiere Hockey Federation, National Women's Soccer League, and United States Football League, female primary care sports medicine physicians were underrepresented in professional sports compared with AMSSM membership and primary care sports fellows ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Overall, female representation is poor among orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians providing sports medicine care to professional teams. Leagues encompassing female athletes tend to have better representation of female physicians. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction for Chronic Patellar Tendon Tears.

OBJECTIVES: Reconstruction for a chronic patellar tendon rupture in a native knee is an uncommon surgical procedure. Although there have been case series investigating patient-reported outcomes, there is no systematic review of these studies to date. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the literature on this procedure to better understand its outcomes, complications, and surgical technique options. METHODS: A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify studies that reported outcomes and techniques of patellar tendon reconstruction for chronic disruption in native knees. Searches were conducted through MEDLINE using PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTS: Ten studies with 103 patients and 105 knees were included. Results for nonnative (arthroplasty) knees were excluded. The mean patient age was 40.3 years, and the mean postsurgical follow-up time was 53.8 months. Of the 105 knees, 75% received a hamstring tendon graft, whereas 13% received a bone-tendon-bone graft and 7% received a whole extensor mechanism allograft. The mean preoperative range of motion was 113.8°, which improved to 126.0° postoperatively. The mean preoperative Lysholm score was 58.6, which improved to 86.0 postoperatively; 100% of patients returned to their normal work activities and 76% returned to their prior level of physical activity. There were no major complications reported in any of the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic patellar tendon disruption in a native knee is an uncommon injury that can result in significant limitations for patients. Although more research is needed to better elucidate which graft is best, outcomes after patellar tendon reconstruction for chronic tears appear to be satisfactory with current techniques.

Elective Hand Surgery Is Delayed among Private Insurance Holders.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with private healthcare plans often defer nonemergent or elective procedures toward the end of the year once they have met their deductible. No previous studies have evaluated how insurance status and hospital setting may affect surgical timing for upper extremity procedures. Our study aimed to evaluate the influence of insurance and hospital setting on end-of-the-year surgical cases for elective carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and trigger finger release, and nonelective distal radius fixation. METHODS: Insurance provider and surgical dates were gathered from two institutions' electronic medical records (one university, one physician-owned hospital) for those undergoing CMC arthroplasty, carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, trigger finger release, and distal radius fixation from January 2010 to December 2019. Dates were converted into corresponding fiscal quarters (Q1-Q4). Using the Poisson exact test, comparisons were made between the case volume rate of Q1-Q3 and Q4 for private insurance and then for public insurance. RESULTS: Overall, case counts were greater in Q4 than the rest of the year at both institutions. There was a significantly greater proportion of privately insured patients undergoing hand and upper extremity surgery at the physician-owned hospital than the university center (physician owned: 69.7%, university: 50.3%; P < 0.001). Privately insured patients underwent CMC arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release at a significantly greater rate in Q4 compared with Q1-Q3 for both institutions. Publicly insured patients did not experience an increase in carpal tunnel releases during the same period at both institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Privately insured patients underwent elective CMC arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release procedures in Q4 at a significantly greater rate than publicly insured patients. This finding suggests private insurance status, and potentially deductibles, influence surgical decision making and timing. Further work is needed to evaluate the impact of deductibles on surgical planning and the financial and medical impact of delaying elective surgeries.

Home-based physical therapy results in similar outcomes to formal outpatient physical therapy after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) are influenced by surgical indications, surgical technique, implant design, and patient variables. The role of self-directed postoperative physical therapy after RTSA is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of a formal physical therapy (F-PT) program vs. a home therapy program after RTSA. METHODS: One hundred patients were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: F-PT and home-based physical therapy (H-PT). Patient demographic variables, range of motion (ROM) and strength measurements, and outcomes (Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, visual analog scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 scores) were collected preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Patient perceptions regarding their group assignment, F-PT vs. H-PT, were also assessed. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included for analysis, with 37 in the H-PT group and 33 in the F-PT group. Thirty patients in both groups had a minimum of 6 months' follow-up. The average length of follow-up was 20.8 months. Forward flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation ROM did not differ between groups at final follow-up. Strength did not differ between groups with the exception of external rotation, which was greater by 0.8 kilograms-force (kgf) with F-PT (P = .04). PROs at final follow-up did not differ between therapy groups. Patients receiving home-based therapy appreciated the convenience and cost savings, and the majority believed home therapy was less burdensome. CONCLUSION: Formal physical therapy and home-based physical therapy programs after RTSA result in similar improvements in ROM, strength, and PRO scores.

Bioactive Knee Sleeve for Osteoarthritis: A Small Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal ailments worldwide. Numerous conservative therapies exist, but evidence for such treatments remains conflicting. Recently, there has been growing interest surrounding bioactive sleeves for managing knee arthritis; however, the literature on their efficacy for relieving pain and improving function in the setting of knee OA is limited. As such, we sought to investigate the effect of a bioactive sleeve on patient-reported outcome measures in a small cohort of patients with OA. METHODS: Patients with knee OA were given a bioactive sleeve (Reparel, Chico, CA) and asked to refrain from lifestyle modifications and intraarticular corticosteroid injections. Lysholm Knee Score, Oxford Knee Score, Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score (KOOS), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Visual Analog Scale score were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. OA severity was evaluated using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) classification system. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare baseline patient-reported outcomes with 2-week, 6-week, and 3-month time points. Bivariate correlation was used to evaluate the relation between patient-reported outcome measures and KL classification. RESULTS: The cohort was composed of 14 participants-4 males and 10 females-with a mean age of 62.2 ± 13.2 years and a body mass index of 33.7 ± 5.8. The average KL grade was 2.9 (range 2-4). KOOS pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life increased significantly at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. KOOS sport and recreation significantly increased at 3 months. The Oxford Knee Score was significantly greater at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The Lysholm Knee Score was significantly greater at 6 weeks and 3 months. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation attained significant improvement at 3 months, and the Visual Analog Scale improvement was significant at 2 weeks. No statistically significant difference was attained with University of California at Los Angeles activity score. Outcome scores did not correlate with KL classification. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a bioactive sleeve may improve patient-reported pain, symptoms, and function in the setting of knee OA. Further research is needed to better understand the role of bioactive sleeves for patients with knee arthritis.

Ultrasound assessment after a subscapularis-sparing approach to total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) has favorable outcomes, nearly all techniques involve subscapularis tendon release for shoulder joint access. Such takedown of the subscapularis may be associated with decreased function, instability, and pain. Subscapularis-sparing approaches have the theoretical benefits of improved function, decreased failure of the tendon reattachment site, and early range of motion and rehabilitation. The primary purpose of this study was to use ultrasound to assess the postoperative integrity of the subscapularis tendon and surrounding soft tissues after ATSA with a subscapularis-sparing technique through an extensile anterosuperior skin incision. Our hypothesis was that this subscapularis-sparing approach would have low rates of subscapularis disruption. METHODS: A consecutive cohort of patients who underwent subscapularis-sparing ATSA between 2014 and 2017 were included. Ultrasound was used to evaluate the rotator cuff tendons and deltoid postoperatively, and these were classified as intact, disrupted, or unable to be adequately visualized. Clinical outcome scores, range of motion, and strength measurements were also collected at 1-3 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subscapularis tendons and 40 supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles were adequately visualized and included for analysis. Of the subscapularis muscles, 32 (86%) were intact; 38 of the visualized supraspinatus muscles (95%) and 39 of the infraspinatus muscles (98%) were intact. No dehiscence or loss of integrity of the deltoid was noted. Clinical comparison between patients with disrupted subscapularis muscles and patients without such disruption demonstrated no difference in clinical outcome scores and postoperative range of motion but showed less strength in forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of subscapularis disruption using a subscapularis-sparing approach for ATSA was low (14%), but the potential for tendon disruption was not eradicated. Favorable clinical outcomes support this surgical approach as a potential technique for ATSA.

Nerve block with liposomal bupivacaine yields fewer complications and similar pain relief when compared to an interscalene catheter for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Following orthopedic surgery, patients frequently experience pain and discomfort. Multiple methods of regional anesthesia are available; however, the optimal technique to adequately manage pain while minimizing complications remains under investigation. This study aims to compare the complication rates and pain relief of single-injection, liposomal bupivacaine brachial plexus nerve block to a conventional, indwelling ropivacaine interscalene catheter (ISC) in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We hypothesize that liposomal bupivacaine will have fewer patient complications with similar pain relief than an indwelling catheter. METHODS: Patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were prospectively assessed after randomization into either ropivacaine ISC or single-injection liposomal bupivacaine brachial plexus nerve block (LB) arms. All patients were discharged with 5 analgesics (acetaminophen, methocarbamol, gabapentin, acetylsalicylic acid, and oxycodone) for as-needed pain relief. Preoperatively, patient demographics and baseline Visual Analog Scale, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Penn Shoulder Scores were obtained. For the first four days postoperatively, complication rates (nausea, dyspnea, anesthetic site discomfort and/or irritation and/or leakage, and self-reported concerns and complications), pain, medication usage, and sleep data were assessed by phone survey every 12 hours. The primary outcome was overall complication rate. At 12 weeks postoperatively, Visual Analog Scale, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Penn scores were reassessed. Outcome scores were compared with Mann-Whitney U tests, and demographics were compared with chi-squared tests. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 63 individuals were allocated into ISC (N = 35) and in the LB arms (N = 28) for analysis. Demographics and preoperative patient-reported outcomes were not different between the arms. Patients in the LB arm experienced fewer (13.1%) overall complications than those in the ISC arm (29.8%) (P < .001), with patients in the ISC arm specifically reporting more anesthetic site discomfort (36.4% vs. 7.1%, P = .007), leakage (30.3% vs. 7.1%, P = .023), and 'other,' free-response complications (ISC: 21.2%; LB: 3.6%; P = .042). No differences were noted in pain, sleep, opioid use, or satisfaction between arms during the perioperative period. More nonopioid medications were consumed on average in the ISC (1.8 ± 1.4) than in the LB arm (1.4 ± 1.3) (P = .001), with greater reported use of acetylsalicylic acid (40.9% vs. 23.4% P < .001) and acetaminophen (69.5% vs. 59.6% P = .013). Patient-reported outcome scores did not differ between groups preoperatively or at 12 weeks. DISCUSSION: Patients receiving liposomal bupivacaine experienced fewer complications than traditional ISCs after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Analgesia, sleep, satisfaction, and functional scores were similar between the 2 groups.

The Correlation Between Altmetric Score and Traditional Bibliometrics in Orthopaedic Literature.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians and medical researchers increasingly turn to nonformal online platforms to promote research. Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) is a quantitative measurement of online influence of research in real time. The objective of this study is to determine if AAS correlates with traditional bibliometrics in the orthopaedic literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the 15 orthopaedic journals with the highest impact factor, the 10 most cited articles from each journal were reviewed for 2014 -2017. For each article, AAS was collected using the Altmetric Bookmarklet application and citation count from SCOPUS. Journal impact factor was recorded using Journal Citation Reports. Statistical analysis included Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 600 articles were analyzed. A significant positive correlation was found between citation count and AAS for 2014 (r = 0.3188, p < 0.0001), and no correlation for 2015 (r = 0.1504, P = 0.0653), 2016 (r = 0.0087, P = 0.9157), and 2017 (r = 0.0061, P = 0.9408). There was no significant correlation between impact factor and AAS in 2014 (r = 0.4312, P = 0.1085), 2015 (r = 0.3850, P = 0.1565), 2016 (r = 0.1460, P = 0.6035) and 2017 (r = 0.0451 P = 0.8732). CONCLUSIONS: AAS and traditional bibliometrics are currently not strongly correlated in orthopaedic literature. Citations take years to accumulate and AAS represents immediate influence of an article. An amalgamation of traditional bibliometrics and AAS may prove useful in determining the short- and long-term impact and influence of publications in orthopaedics.

COVID-19 Impact on Orthopedic Surgeons: Elective Procedures, Telehealth, and Income.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the response in orthopedic surgery to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across the United States by surveying surgeons about their care setting, timing of restrictions on elective surgery, use of telehealth, and estimated economic impact. METHODS: A survey was distributed via REDCap through state orthopedic organizations between April and July 2020. The 22-question digital survey collected information regarding restrictions on elective procedures, location of care, utilization of telehealth, and estimated reductions in annual income. RESULTS: In this study, 192 participants responded to the survey (average age 49.9 ± 11.0 years, 92.7% male). Responses primarily originated from Alabama (30.2%), Georgia (30.2%), and Missouri (16.1%). The remainder of the responses were grouped into the category "other." Respondents did not vary significantly by state in operative setting or income type (salary, work relative value units, or collections). Most of the participants documented elective procedure restrictions in hospital and ambulatory settings. The highest frequency of closures occurred between March 18 and 20 (47% in hospital, 51% in ambulatory). Of the participants, financial loss estimates varied across states (P = 0.005), with 50% of physicians claiming >50% losses of income in Alabama (24% Georgia, 10% Missouri, 31% other). Regarding telehealth, practices set up for these services before 2020 varied across states. None of the orthopedic practices in Alabama had telehealth before the COVID-19 pandemic (Missouri 25%, Georgia 9%, other 8%, P = 0.06); however, respondents generally were split when considering the anticipation of implementing telehealth into routine practice. CONCLUSIONS: Most practices did implement restrictions for elective clinic visits and procedures early during the pandemic. COVID-19 ultimately will result in a large revenue loss for elective orthopedic practices. Services such as telehealth may help offset these losses and help deliver orthopedic care to patients remotely.

Is outpatient shoulder arthroplasty safe? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Amid rising health care costs and recent advances in surgical and anesthetic protocols, the rate of outpatient joint arthroplasty has risen steadily in recent years. Although the safety of outpatient total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty has been well established, outpatient shoulder arthroplasty is still in its infancy. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the current literature and provide further data regarding the outcomes and safety of outpatient shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the standard PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Included were studies that evaluated the outcomes of patients undergoing outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse TSA. Meta-analysis was conducted using Mantel-Haenszel statistics to generate odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing outpatient and inpatient shoulder arthroplasty. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included, with a total of 194,513 patients, of whom 7162 were outpatients. Of the studies, 8 were level III and 4 were level IV. The average age of the outpatients was 66.6 years, and the average age of the inpatients was 70.1 years. The overall OR for complications was significantly lower in outpatients (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.35-0.45) than in inpatients. There was no significant difference in rates of 90-day readmission (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.75-1.03), revision (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.65-1.41), and infection (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.64-1.35) when comparing outpatients with inpatients. CONCLUSION: Outpatient TSA, in an appropriately selected patient population, is safe and results in comparable patient outcomes to those of inpatient shoulder arthroplasty. Given the expected increase in the number of patients requiring TSA, surgeons, hospital administrators, and insurance carriers should strongly consider the merits of a cost- and care-efficient approach to total shoulder replacement.

Quality Improvement Tools in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Systems review and quality improvement (QI) is a significant need within orthopaedic surgery. The focus of this paper is to systematically review QI principles utilized in total joint arthroplasty to determine most successful QI tools. A systematic search on MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and other sources was conducted from September 1991 through October 2018. The three primary improved outcomes from each article were recorded along with the date, author and subspecialty. Thirty-four eligible studies related to joint arthroplasty were identified for inclusion in the systematic review. The most common outcomes that were improved in these publications were: length of stay (LOS), cost, medication management, and patient education. Lean, clinical care pathways (CCP), plan-do-check-act (PDCA), and shared decision-making improved those metrics. Four metrics were found that were consistently improved by certain quality improvement tools: LOS, cost, medication management, and patient education. Further research is warranted to continue to build a framework for quality improvement in orthopaedic surgery. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):125-130, 2021).

Corticosteroid Injections May Increase Retear and Revision Rates of Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To synthesize the clinical outcome data of preoperative and postoperative corticosteroid injections (CIs) and their effect on rotator cuff repairs (RCRs). METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify studies that reported the results or clinical outcomes of RCRs in patients receiving either preoperative or postoperative CIs. The searches were performed using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Embase, and studies were chosen following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included with data for 176,352 shoulders: 6 studies involving 175,256 shoulders with data regarding preoperative CIs, 4 studies involving 1,096 shoulders with data regarding postoperative CIs, and 1 study with 212 shoulders containing preoperative and postoperative data. Preoperative CIs were found in 3 studies to increase the risk of revision surgery when administered within 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 1.38-1.82) and up to 1 year (OR, 1.12-1.52) prior to RCR, with revision rates in 2 studies being highest when patients received 2 or more injections (OR, 2.12-3.26) in the prior year. Postoperative CIs reduced pain and improved functional outcomes in 5 studies without increasing the retear rates (5.7%-19% for CI and 14%-18.4% for control) in most studies. CONCLUSIONS: CIs provide benefit by relieving pain and improving functional outcome scores. However, repeated preoperative CIs may increase retear rates and the likelihood of revision surgery. A lower frequency of CI and longer preoperative waiting period after CI should be considered to decrease such risks. Postoperative CIs several weeks after RCR do not appear to increase retear rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level I through IV studies.

Patient Perception of Orthopedic Surgeon Reimbursement.

Significant attention has been directed at evaluating reimbursement rates to orthopedic surgeons for various surgical procedures. To evaluate patients' understanding of the surgeon reimbursement process, studies using patient surveys have been conducted to determine patients' perceptions of orthopedic surgeon compensation. To date, there has been no systematic review to consolidate the data of these studies. This study aimed to synthesize the findings of these individual studies across multiple subspecialties of orthopedic surgery to evaluate the potential discrepancy between how much patients believe orthopedic surgeons are reimbursed and the actual reimbursement rate. We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies that report findings of patient perceptions of orthopedic surgeon reimbursement for various procedures. Searches were conducted using MEDLINE through PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Summary estimates of reimbursement discrepancies across subspecialties and overall were reported as unweighted averages of the individual study results within each group. Twelve studies were identified that met inclusion criteria, constituting 4309 surveys. These survey studies measured patients' perceptions of how much orthopedic surgeons are reimbursed for common procedures, including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic meniscectomy, carpal tunnel release, rotator cuff repair, multiple spine procedures and total shoulder, hip, and knee arthroplasty. It was found that patients reported reasonable surgeon's fees to be 11.2 times more than actual Medicare reimbursement. Among individual studies, the largest discrepancies were seen in total hip arthroplasty (26 times), whereas the smallest difference was in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (1.6 times). On average, patients estimated Medicare reimbursement rates to be 5.9 times higher than the actual surgeon reimbursement. Patients consistently overestimate how much orthopedic surgeons are reimbursed for common orthopedic procedures. The results of this systematic review suggest that patients may value these procedures more than what Medicare reimburses. Such information may help educate the public, direct policy, and increase transparency between orthopedic surgeons and patients.

Os acromiale: systematic review of surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The literature is unclear as to the optimal surgical management of a symptomatic os acromiale that has failed nonoperative treatment. Surgical options include excision, acromioplasty, and open reduction and internal fixation. The purpose of this study is to summarize the described methods and compare their reported outcomes with the goal to provide direction on how to surgically manage os acromiale. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the current medical literature. Fifteen studies met all the inclusion criteria. Two hundred eleven total subjects (220 shoulders) underwent surgical treatment for a symptomatic os acromiale. There were 140 men and 71 women with a mean age of 49.6 ± 9.1 years. The mean follow-up duration was 40 ± 11.6 months. Surgical techniques used in the included studies were excision, acromioplasty, and open reduction with internal fixation. Concurrent surgical procedures performed were also included. RESULTS: Meso-os acromiale was the most common type (167 cases, 94.4%). The most common surgical technique was internal fixation (135 cases, 60.8%), with screw fixation being the majority (76 cases, 56.3%). Excision (65 cases, 29.3%) was the second most used technique. The most common concurrent surgical procedure performed was rotator cuff repair (125 cases, 56.3%), followed by distal clavicle excision (31 cases, 14%). CONCLUSIONS: All surgical techniques employed resulted in improvement in postsurgical clinical outcomes without any technique demonstrating superior results. Operative management of a symptomatic os acromiale that has failed initial nonoperative treatment leads to decreased symptoms and improvement in clinical outcomes.

Clinical outcomes following conservative and surgical management of floating shoulder injuries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Floating shoulder is an uncommon injury characterized by fractures of the clavicle and ipsilateral scapular neck. No consensus exists on management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the existing literature on treatment and clinical outcomes of floating shoulder injuries to provide a baseline understanding of current treatment strategies of this injury. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identity published literature on outcomes and management of floating shoulder injuries. Searches were performed using PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were identified that included data for 371 shoulders. The mean reported age was 39.4 years (range, 16-82) and the mean follow-up was 49.4 months (range, 6-312). The major mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident (51%) followed by fall from height (16%). Of the 371 shoulders, 215 (58%) were treated surgically, whereas 156 shoulders (42%) were managed nonoperatively. The most commonly reported outcome score was the Constant-Murley score (9 studies), followed by the Herscovici Floating Shoulder Injury score (5 studies). The mean Constant-Murley score was 80% of ideal maximum for both shoulders treated surgically and those treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory outcomes can be expected following both surgical fixation and nonoperative management of floating shoulder injuries when appropriately individualized to the patient, as evidenced by clinical outcome scores. Floating shoulder injuries with significant displacement of the scapular neck may benefit from surgical fixation of both the clavicle and scapula fractures. In those with minimal or nondisplaced scapular neck fractures, good outcomes may be achieved when treated nonoperatively or with surgical fixation of the clavicle alone.

Attitudes and awareness of suture anchor cost: a survey of shoulder surgeons performing rotator cuff repairs.

BACKGROUND: The cost of health care in the United States accounts for 18% of the nation's gross domestic product and is expected to reach 20% by 2020. Physicians are responsible for 60%-80% of decisions resulting in health care expenditures. Rotator cuff repairs account for $1.2-$1.6 billion in US health care expenditures annually. The purpose of this study is to assess surgeons' cost awareness in the setting of rotator cuff repairs. The hypothesis is that practice environment and training affect cost consciousness and incentivization will lead to more cost-effective choices. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a 21-item survey was distributed via the email list services of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America. Data collected included demographics, variables regarding rotator cuff repair (technique, number of companies used, procedures per month), and knowledge of costs. RESULTS: Responses from 345 surgeons in 23 countries were obtained with the majority (89%) being from the United States. Most surgeons were "cost-conscious" (275, 70.7%). Of these surgeons, 62.9% are willing to switch suture anchors brands to reduce overall costs if incentivized. Cost-conscious surgeons were more likely to be fellowship trained in shoulder and elbow (51.81% vs. 38.57%, P = .048), be paid based on productivity (73.53% vs. 61.43%, P = .047), and receive shared profits (85.4% vs. 75%, P = .02). CONCLUSION: The majority of orthopedic surgeons are both cost-conscious and willing to change their practice to reduce costs if incentivized to do so. A better understanding of implant costs combined with incentives may help reduce health care expenditure.

Subscapularis sparing total shoulder arthroplasty through a superolateral approach: a radiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Most anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) techniques release and reattach the subscapularis tendon. The risk of failed healing is a widely recognized complication. The purpose of this study was to radiographically compare a traditional deltopectoral (DP) approach and a superolateral subscapularis sparing (SSS) technique through the rotator interval. METHODS: A single, independent, blinded, reviewer analyzed preoperative and postoperative radiographs of patients undergoing ATSA performed by a single surgeon. The reviewer assessed humeral head height, humeral head medial offset, humeral head diameter, head-neck angle, humeral head centering, and coracohumeral offset, and used the anatomic reconstruction index (ARI) to evaluate overall reconstruction quality. RESULTS: There were 70 SSS and 20 DP patients included. When comparing preoperative with postoperative differences, we found that there was no difference between groups in humeral head height (P = .19), humeral head medial offset (P = .38), and coracohumeral offset (P = .07). The DP group had a mean humeral head diameter oversizing of 1.4 mm, whereas the superolateral group had an undersizing of 2.8 mm (P < .001). The head-neck angle difference of the SSS approach was 2° greater than that found with the DP group (P < .001). The humeral head centering in the DP group was 7% displaced vs. 12% with the SSS group (P = .001) relative to the glenoid size. The ARI was 7.35 for the DP group and 6.93 for the SSS group (P = .50). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic comparison of these 2 ATSA techniques identified no statistical significant difference in 4 of 7 radiographic measurements and ARI. The SSS ATSA is a reasonable approach that yields similar radiographic measurements as a traditional DP total shoulder arthroplasty approach.